Mercury Park Lane

{{distinguish|Ford Parklane}} {{Use American English|date=April 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox automobile | name = Mercury Park Lane | image = Mercury Park Lane 1964 02.jpg | caption = 1964 Mercury Park Lane four-door hardtop (with Breezeway Design roofline) | manufacturer = [[Mercury (automobile)|Mercury]] ([[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]) | production = 1958–1960 1964–1968 | class = [[Full-size]] | layout = [[FR layout]] }} The '''Mercury Park Lane''' is a [[Full-size car|full-sized automobile]] that was produced by the [[Mercury (automobile)|Mercury]] division of [[Ford Motor Company]]. While not officially introduced as the replacement of the [[Mercury Turnpike Cruiser]], the Park Lane became the flagship of the Mercury model line upon its introduction. The second-generation Park Lane was positioned above the [[Mercury Montclair]].

In 1969, the [[Mercury Marquis]] was expanded to a full model line and replaced the Park Lane in the Mercury range.

== First use of name == In 1956, the Park Lane name was used by the Ford Division as it created a two-door station wagon intended as a competitor for the [[Chevrolet Nomad]]. Based on the Ford Fairlane, the [[Ford Parklane]] (spelled as a single word) outsold the Nomad nearly two-to-one, though Ford marketers felt the vehicle had missed its target market; it was discontinued after its only year of production.

==First generation (1958–1960)== {{Infobox automobile | name = First generation | image = 1959 Mercury Park Lane 2.jpg | caption = 1959 Mercury Park Lane two-door hardtop cruiser | model_years = 1958–1960 | assembly = Main plant [[Wayne, Michigan]]<ref name="flory2008" /> (Branch assembly) [[Metuchen, New Jersey]] [[Pico Rivera, California]] [[Hazelwood, Missouri]] | body_style = 2-door [[hardtop coupe]] 2-door [[convertible (car)|convertible]] 4-door [[Sedan (automobile)|hardtop sedan]] | related = [[Mercury Colony Park]] [[Edsel Citation]] | layout = [[FR layout]] | predecessor = [[Mercury Turnpike Cruiser]] | successor = [[Mercury S-55]] | engine = {{convert|430|cid|L|1|abbr=on}} ''[[Ford MEL engine|Ford MEL]]'' V8 | transmission = 3-speed [[Cruise-O-Matic#Cruise-O-Matic|Merc-O-Matic]] | wheelbase = {{convert|125.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} {{convert|126.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} {{convert|128.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | length = {{convert|5593|mm|in|1|abbr=on|disp=flip}} | width = {{convert|2060|mm|in|1|abbr=on|disp=flip}} | weight = {{convert|2070|kg|lb|abbr=on|disp=flip}} }}

The Mercury Park Lane was introduced for the 1958 model year as a premium model line for the division. In design, it was conceptualized as a '''Super Mercury''' that would compete with [[General Motors]]' [[Buick Limited#1958 Limited|Buick Limited]] and [[Chrysler 300 letter series#1958 300D|Chrysler 300D]].<ref name="flory2008" /> Available in two-door and four-door hardtops and convertible coupes, the Park Lane offered the same body styles as the [[Mercury Turnpike Cruiser|Turnpike Cruiser]] which it replaced, though its distinctive "breezeway" rear window was adopted by the Continental Mark line.<ref name="flory2008">{{cite book|last=Flory Jr.|first=J. "Kelly"|title=American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year|year=2008|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers|isbn=978-0-7864-3229-5}}</ref><ref name="kowalke1997">{{cite book|last=Kowalke|first=Ron|title=Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975|year=1997|publisher=Krause publications|isbn=0-87341-521-3|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/standardcatalogo00beve}}</ref> The Park Lane was offered as the flagship Mercury model line with a similar approach to luxury shared with the updated four passenger [[Ford Thunderbird#Ford Thunderbird (second generation)|Ford Thunderbird]] with a listed retail price of US$3,867 for the coupe (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|3867|1958}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}) and US$4,118 for the convertible (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|4118|1958}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}). As before, the Park Lane was a body on frame chassis while the Thunderbird had unibody construction.<ref name="flory2008" />

Sharing its chassis with the [[Mercury Colony Park#1957–1958|Colony Park]] station wagon (and Edsel Citation/Corsair), the Park Lane had a 125-inch wheelbase (3 inches longer than the standard Mercury chassis) and, for 1958 only, an extended rear deck 7 inches longer than standard models. In 1959, the Park Lane wheelbase was stretched to 128 inches (two inches longer than other Mercurys). For 1960, the Park Lane wheelbase was again changed, matching the 126 inches of the standard Mercury line.

The Park Lane was powered by a single engine: a 430 cubic-inch [[Ford MEL engine|Ford MEL V8]]. Initially rated at 360 hp for 1958, the Super Marauder engine option package allowed any Mercury with the 430 to increase its output to 400 hp (the first mass-production engine in an American automobile to be so rated). For 1959, the Super Marauder was discontinued, with the standard engine rated at 345 hp, retuned to 310 hp in 1960. All Park Lanes were equipped with a three-speed [[Cruise-O-Matic|Merc-O-Matic]] automatic transmission; the 1958 offered the "Multi-Matic" transmission controls and was changed to the steering column mounted gear selector starting in 1959.

For 1960, the Park Lane had a minor styling update distinguished by new taillamps, rear fender skirts, five chrome-accent bars ahead of the rear wheel openings, wide rocker panel moldings, and a padded dashboard.

In 1961, the Park Lane name was dropped (along with the Montclair) as the division reorganized its marketing efforts towards the better-selling [[Mercury Monterey|Monterey]] alongside the introduction of the [[Mercury Comet]] compact.

<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px"> File:USA Autó 2008 - 008.jpg|1958 Mercury Park Lane Phaeton Sedan File:Mercury Park Lane, 1958 cockpit (6980144112).jpg|1958 Mercury Park Lane interior File:Mercury Park Lane, 1959.png|1959 Mercury Park Lane convertible File:1959 Mercury Park Lane.jpg|1959 Mercury Park Lane two-door hardtop cruiser File:1960 Mercury Park Lane (4054477087).jpg|1960 Mercury Park Lane two-door hardtop cruiser </gallery>

==Second generation (1964–1968)== {{Infobox automobile | name = Second generation | image = Mercury Park Lane Convertible (Orange Julep).JPG | caption = 1967 Mercury Park Lane convertible | model_years = 1964–1968 | assembly = [[Hazelwood, Missouri]] ([[St. Louis Assembly Plant]]) [[Pico Rivera, California]] ([[Los Angeles Assembly]]) [[Hapeville, Georgia]] ([[Atlanta Assembly]]) | body_style = 4-door [[Sedan (car)|sedan]] 2-door [[Hardtop]] 2-door [[convertible]] 4-door [[Hardtop]] | layout = [[FR layout]] | related = [[Ford LTD (Americas)#First generation (1965–1968)|Ford LTD]] | engine = {{convert|410|cid|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Ford FE engine#410|Ford FE V8]] {{convert|428|cid|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Ford FE engine#428|Ford FE V8]] | wheelbase = {{convert|3048|-|3124|mm|in|1|abbr=on|disp=flip}} | length = {{convert|5461|-|5550|mm|in|1|abbr=on|disp=flip}} | width = {{convert|2060|mm|in|1|abbr=on|disp=flip}} | weight = {{convert|1892|-|1910|kg|lb|abbr=on|disp=flip}} }}

For the 1964 model year, the Mercury Park Lane made its return as the Mercury Division expanded its model line. Coinciding with Mercury's 25th Anniversary, the Park Lane again topped the Mercury line above the Monterey and newly reintroduced Montclair. In contrast to the previous generation, the Park Lane used the same wheelbase as other Mercury lines, differing primarily in trim. The listed retail price for the four-door hardtop or four-door hardtop fastback was US$3,413 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|3413|1964}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}) and a combined total of 6,060 were sold.<ref name="kowalke1997" />

As the highest-priced, premium trim, many Park Lanes were fitted with the option of a "breezeway" retractable rear window that was first used on the Turnpike Cruiser and the 1958-1960 Continental. For 1964 the retractable rear window was installed in hardtop sedans with a reverse-slant configuration as in previous versions. In addition, Mercury offered the Park Lane with a fastback roofline as part of Marauder option package (seen on any full-sized Mercury); the fastback design proved popular on its Ford Galaxie 500 counterpart. The [[Mercury Colony Park]] station wagon was now aligned with the Park Lane model line.<ref name="kowalke1997"/>

For 1965, the chassis of full-sized Ford and Mercury cars was redesigned; the Mercury line was given a much more slab-sided appearance due to the popularity of the 1965 [[Lincoln Continental#|Lincoln Continental]]. The front grille continued to offer twin headlights in a recessed part of the grille. The retractable rear window was no longer available on the hardtop body and were now only available on the sedan body style across all Mercury vehicles.<ref name="kowalke1997"/>

For 1967, to complement the Mercury Marquis, which was only available as a two-door hardtop, the Park Lane Brougham was introduced as an exclusive trim package of the already luxurious Park Lane on the sedan only. For an option on the Park Lane hardtop coupe and convertible models, the sedan and convertible introduced "yacht deck paneling" body trim which was essentially the same simulated woodgrain [[DI-NOC]] used for the Colony Park station wagon; "yacht deck paneling" was a rarely ordered option.<ref name="kowalke1997"/>

As the division redesigned its full-sized line for 1969, the Marquis was expanded to a full model range, taking over the place of the Park Lane (the Brougham was largely replaced by the later [[Mercury Grand Marquis|Grand Marquis]]).<ref name="kowalke1997"/>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px"> File:'64 Mercury Park Lane Sedan (Orange Julep '07).jpg|1964 Mercury Park Lane four-door hardtop ("Marauder" fastback roofline) File:64 Mercury Park Lane (9122287636).jpg|1964 Mercury Park Lane four-door hardtop ("Breezeway" roofline) File:1965 Mercury Park Lane (5125290361).jpg|1965 Mercury Park Lane two-door hardtop File:Mercury 1965 Park Lane 4-Door Breezeway Sedan -exfordy.jpg|1965 Mercury Park Lane four-door sedan ("Breezeway" roofline) File:1965 Mercury Park Lane (6089370281).jpg|1965 Mercury Park Lane convertible File:1966 Mercury Park Lane 2-Door Hardtop.JPG|1966 Mercury Park Lane two-door hardtop File:1966 Mercury Park Lane Breezeway.jpg|1966 Mercury Park Lane four-door sedan ("Breezeway" roofline) File:Merc (23934418803).jpg|1967 Mercury Park Lane two-door hardtop File:1968 Mercury Park Lane Brougham Convertible (34488051960).jpg|1968 Mercury Park Lane convertible with "yacht deck paneling" body trim </gallery>

=== Mercury Park Lane Brougham === {{Infobox automobile | name = Park Lane Brougham | image = 1968 Mercury Park Lane Brougham 4-door Hardtop.JPG | production = 1967<ref name="kowalke1997"/> | body_style = 4-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]] 4-door [[hardtop]] }} [[File:1968 Mercury Park Lane Brougham 4-door hardtop, front view.jpg|thumb|left|Triple-black 1968 Mercury Park Lane Brougham four-door hardtop]] The '''Park Lane Brougham''' was the flagship Mercury model for 1967. Powerful and luxurious, it was offered as a four-door sedan, or four-door hardtop and was replaced by the Marquis as a two-door hardtop coupe only for 1968 followed by the sedan in later years.<ref name="kowalke1997"/> The Brougham differentiated itself from the standard Park Lane by featuring "Twin Comfort Lounge" 50–50 split bench seats with deep foam padding and a unique thick box-style cloth upholstery pleating, with matching upscale door panels with higher trim levels and pull straps, and unique ornamentation.<ref name="kowalke1997"/>

The term [[brougham (car body)|"brougham"]] was traditionally used for horse drawn carriages then luxury sedans which accommodated a driver in a separate compartment from the passenger, also related to a [[town car]].

The Park Lane Brougham was the first Mercury to introduce a combination of front turn signals and parking lights that wrapped around the front edge of the fender that illuminated to the front and the side, expanding from an appearance introduced in 1966, and it was a feature that would be used by Ford products for several decades to follow.

The Mercury "Breezeway" retractable rear window was available but was installed in the four-door sedan only and not the four-door hardtop, a distinction shared with the entry-level Monterey and mid-level Montclair.<ref name="kowalke1997"/> The 1967 sedan was listed at US$3,986 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|3986|1967}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}) and 3,325 were made while the hardtop was US$3,896 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|3896|1967}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}) and 4,189 were manufactured.<ref name="kowalke1997"/> In comparison to the 1967 [[Lincoln Continental#1966–1969|Lincoln Continental]] it was listed at US$5,795 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5795|1967}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}) and 32,331 found buyers.<ref name="kowalke1997"/>

==References== {{reflist}} {{commonscat|Mercury Park Lane}} {{Mercury Vehicles}} {{Mercury historic timeline}}

[[Category:Mercury vehicles|Park Lane]] [[Category:Full-size vehicles]] [[Category:Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States]] [[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]] [[Category:Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)]]